What is the gnawing that many feel,
that drives us here and there like mad men and women
as if we are trying to scratch an inner itch
that simply cannot be reached?
Why the self destructive behavior
the thanatos principle in plain view for all to see(?),
our world a place where death is both feared
and longed for,
perhaps thinking peace will be found in nothingness
a hope I feel unfounded.
Also many feel pursued by something,
an inner prompting
feared
as well as longed for,
afraid to respond for it seems to ask for a death of sorts
letting go of what is really destroying yet embraced,
like a drunk with his bottle
cradled in his sleeping arms.
Rest often eludes us,
our desires drain us of life,
we work ourselves to death for what we don’t need
but are simply told,
like puppets manipulated by economy
perhaps the only true god after all,
or is it an idol,
the worst one of all?
Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO
Holy Spirit Monastery
